Boston University Photographers Recognized for Outstanding Work

(Boston) – Boston University photographers Vernon Doucette and Kalman Zabarsky each won awards from the University Photographers’ Association of America, an international organization of college and university photographers. Doucette and Zabarsky were both recognized in the Print Competition and were honored at the organization’s recent 2005 Annual Technical Symposium at the State University of New York – Brockport, where the awards voting was conducted by over 75 attending members.

“We are very happy that Kal and Vern’s work, once again, has been recognized by our peers. They both have long and wonderful records of service to the university and we are thrilled with these recent honors,” said Frederic Sway, Director of BU Photo Services. “The UPAA is very discerning and always recognizes photography that is striking, dramatic and unique, taken with a great eye and with a strong concept. To be acknowledged by them is truly a feather in our cap.”

Doucette, a photographer with the university for nine years, won first prize in the Personal Vision category, which includes photography taken to satisfy the creator’s personal interests. The winning photo was a winter shot of Charles River geese huddling in the snow. The photo was one that Doucette conceptualized numerous times in the months leading up to the shot. He viewed the famous birds along the river and envisioned the stunning juxtaposition of the pure, white geese lounging among the pure, white snow. The opportunity finally came in January when Boston was hit with a major snowstorm and Doucette ventured, camera in hand, to visit the geese and snapped the award-winning shot.

Zabarsky, who has been with BU since 1969, took home honorable mention honors in the Campus Environment category, which includes photos of buildings, structures or grounds on and around the campus and college community. Zabarsky’s winning shot was an aerial photo of a young female student riding her bike in Marsh Plaza one early morning. The shot is part of a series of photographs Zabarsky took from the top of the School of Theology building of scenery and students interacting, reading, studying and playing in front of the venerable Marsh Chapel.

Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 30,000 students, it is the fourth largest independent university in the United States. BU contains 17 colleges and schools along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes which are central to the school’s research and teaching mission.